Meet Kailey Utley

With the 2012 season underway, WVUsports.com will get to know the 12 newcomers on the West Virginia women’s soccer team. Today’s edition features St. Louis native Kailey Utley.

What attracted you to play soccer at West Virginia University?I was attracted to WVU's soccer program because they compete at the highest level and are one of the best teams in the country. I also really liked the coaching staff.

How did playing for a well-established and successful club team prepare you for WVU?I was fortunate to play for good club teams which prepared me for WVU in that we focused largely on fitness and technical abilities in order to compete against other top club teams.

Who has been the biggest impact on your soccer career and why?My club coach Dan Garabedian has had a big impact on my soccer career because he taught me the fundamentals of the game and developed me into the attacking player that I am today. He also has never stopped believing in me.

Of the teams not on our schedule, who would you like to play most and why?I would most like to play Mizzou because it is close to home and a lot of my friends go there.

What do you miss most about home right now?I'd have to say the thing I miss most about home right now is my mom's home cooked meals.

You saw some good minutes in the two exhibitions, how do you think you performed?I think I performed well in the first game, had some decent crosses into the box, but did not do as well as I would have liked in the second game. I just couldn't seem to get into the flow of the game, and needed to be more vocal and aggressive.